Nigerian Cyber Syndicate Suspected In Rs 22-Crore Tamil Nadu Panchayat Bank Fraud

More than Rs 22 crore has allegedly been siphoned off from bank accounts maintained by three panchayat unions in Tamil Nadu through an online fraud, with police suspecting the involvement of an international cybercrime syndicate based in Nigeria.

The Chennai Central Crime Branch (CCB) has registered a case and launched an investigation into the alleged cyber fraud involving accounts maintained by the Tamil Nadu Rural Development Department, police said on Tuesday.

Preliminary findings revealed that Rs 22.10 crore was transferred from the accounts of three panchayat unions. Of this, Rs 14 crore was allegedly diverted from Mandapam Panchayat Union in Ramanathapuram district, Rs 3.10 crore from Nagapattinam Panchayat Union and Rs 5 crore from Dharapuram Panchayat Union in Tiruppur district.

Police suspect that the accused gained unauthorised access to the online financial transaction portal and used it to divert the funds into certain bank accounts.

Investigators are currently tracing the transactions and examining whether local bank handlers were involved or whether compromised credentials were used to execute the unauthorised transfers.

Police are also probing the suspected links to an international cybercrime syndicate from Nigeria. However, the exact modus operandi and those responsible for the fraud are yet to be established.

Meanwhile, BJP leader Vinoj P Selvam criticised the C Joseph Vijay-led TVK govt, questioning its administrative oversight, accountability and preparedness to safeguard public funds.

In a post on X, Selvam said the money was meant for rural development, essential services and public welfare, and questioned how cybercriminals could allegedly breach government payment systems and execute transactions worth crores.

Taking a swipe at the ruling party, he said managing social media campaigns and running a government were two different responsibilities.

He called for transparent answers, stronger institutions and effective safeguards to protect public money.